Swivel machine compartment

ABSTRACT

A swivel machine compartment that is built to rotate is provided. In one embodiment, the swivel machine compartment of the present invention is built to turn 90 degrees or more. The rotating mechanism allows the opening such as louver panels on a cabinet to be located on a side or the front of a cabinet. Thus, the position of a swivel machine compartment can be rotated to face the opening on the cabinet.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to drop-in equipment, and more particularly, to a rotatable housing used in drop-in equipments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Drop-in equipment refers to food stands or carts that have one or more recessed parts where food trays may be inserted. These drop-in equipments typically include some sort of compressor to support refrigeration system for keeping the food to a desired temperature. Drop-in equipment is frequently built into buffet counters or customized cabinets to suit the owner's décor and improve the surroundings aesthetically. Because the appearance of these cabinets is important to the owner, the cabinets are often made of fine wood and other decorative materials. The cabinets, however, must also serve functional purpose and be able to accommodate equipments that need ventilation and sufficient amount of air flow.

[0003] The challenge of building equipments such as self-contained refrigerated equipments requiring ventilation to function properly has been to provide a properly functioning unit that can be incorporated into the cabinet with minimum effect to the appearance. While large openings are desirable for maximum functional requirement of ventilation, these large openings or even many smaller sized openings are not desirable for appearances. And, in many instances, it is the functional aspect, e.g., airflow, which is compromised or sacrificed in favor of the aesthetics.

[0004] The most a drop-in manufacturer can do is to minimize the number and size of openings or access panels that need to be incorporated into the cabinet and to give the cabinet maker some flexibility in locating the openings and access panels.

[0005] Typically, a drop-in manufacturer does not build the cabinet that houses the unit. Accordingly, there is no assurance that a cabinet maker will take the necessary steps to ensure adequate ventilation for the units the cabinet houses. A cabinet maker seldom has a capability to design a cabinet that can house a unit near enough to ventilation openings as to prevent overheating. Further, a cabinet maker almost never incorporates any ducts to ensure enough ventilation, e.g., fresh air, to, e.g., a condenser.

[0006] Although most drop-in equipment manufactures suggest at least two ventilation openings, many cabinet makes do not follow the suggestions because the openings would not be aesthetically pleasing on a finished cabinet. The result is frequent and premature compressor failures in the drop-in equipments because the cabinets that house these drop-in equipments do not provide openings for the needed ventilation.

[0007] Another disadvantage or inconvenience caused by existing drop-in equipments in existing cabinets is the inaccessibility to these equipments inside the cabinets. E.g., all self-contained air-cooled refrigeration equipment requires regular cleaning of the condenser coil that rejects the heat from refrigerated compartments. In drop-in applications, access to the condenser can be difficult unless the cabinet maker provides an access panel just for that purpose. Frequently, however, a cabinet maker does not want to make another access panel large enough, or frequently cannot make a useful access panel that is practical with the cabinet. Furthermore, if condenser is not easily visible, the owner/operator is not going to know that the condenser needs cleaning until the equipment malfunctions. Consequently, regular cleaning of the condenser is often neglected, the drop-in runs inefficiently, and ultimately the life of the refrigeration system is also compromised.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A swivel machine compartment that is built to turn is provided. In one embodiment, the swivel machine compartment of the present invention is built to turn 90 degrees or more. The turning mechanism allows the opening such as louver panels on a cabinet to be located on a side or the front. Thus, the position of a swivel machine compartment can be adjusted to face the openings on the cabinet.

[0009] In one aspect, the swivel machine compartment includes a built-in telescoping air duct that may be pulled out to an opening area on the cabinet. The built-in telescoping air duct ensures that fresh air passes through the condenser even when the condenser is not located near the fresh air source. In one aspect, the built-in telescoping air duct also ensure that old heated or exhausted air inside the cabinet surrounding the compressor does not get mixed with incoming fresh air.

[0010] In one aspect, the swivel machine compartment is designed so that all control mechanisms needed for normal operation is accessible through one opening. E.g., the cabinet maker may choose to rotate the compartment and properly align it with the single opening. In one aspect, the swivel machine compartment is compact, e.g., the size of a single opening. The swivel machine may also be unbolted from the bottom of the drop-in and dropped down the floor of the cabinet, moved around, to accommodate the cabinet design and still assure airflow and necessary access.

[0011] In one aspect, the swivel machine compartment may be located on one end of the drop in. Not only does this give the cabinet maker the option of having end or side access, but also leaves other space inside the cabinet free for use as storage space if desired.

[0012] Further features and advantages of the present invention as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 illustrates components of a swivel machine compartment in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 illustrates components of a swivel machine shown in FIG. 1 when rotated 90 degrees;

[0016]FIG. 3 illustrates components used in rotably attaching a swivel machine compartment to drop-in equipment body;

[0017]FIG. 4 illustrates a swivel machine as rotably attached to a reinforcement plate;

[0018]FIG. 5 illustrates a swivel machine as attached to drop-in equipment;

[0019]FIG. 6 illustrates a compressor housed in a housing having an air duct that can be pulled out to the back or side wall of a cabinet;

[0020]FIG. 7 illustrates an air duct of FIG. 6, having a bottom portion; and

[0021]FIG. 8 illustrates a compressor housed in drop-in equipment housing with an air duct pulled out to a louver panel that may cover a wall of a cabinet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022]FIG. 1 illustrates components of a swivel machine compartment in one embodiment of the present invention. A frame or housing 102 houses a compressor unit (shown in FIG. 6) that is covered by air duct 104. The compressor units are typically connected to drop-in cold pans placed above the compressor units. Self-contained drop-in cold pans have a refrigeration compressor hanging from the bottom of the unit. The housing 102 includes an opening at the top where connections to drop-in cold pans can be made. An opening 116 at the top of the housing 102 allows refrigeration line access to the cold pans placed above the compressor units.

[0023] The housing 102 is rotably attached to cold pan unit for rotating the housing 102. In one embodiment, the housing 102 is rotated about 90 degrees to adjust to the opening in a cabinet, i.e., to allow the air intake side of compressor sitting inside the housing to face a corresponding opening in a cabinet, regardless of where the opening is in the cabinet.

[0024] In one embodiment, the housing includes a top portion 124 as described above, a bottom portion 128 that, e.g., supports a compressor unit, and a plurality of side portions 126 connecting the top portion 124 and the bottom portion 128. In one embodiment, the space between the top portion 124 and the bottom 126 portion is substantially open at the sides except for the connecting side portions 126.

[0025] In one embodiment, the rotable attachment is achieved by having four slits 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d around the top of the housing 102. Each slit is disconnected from one another, but together makes up an approximate circle shape around center of the top of the housing 102. The rotation is achieved by having four bolts 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 d, each positioned to fit into one of the slits 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d respectively, passing through a reinforcement plate 120 through holes 112 a, 112 b, 112 c, 112 d, then through cold pan bottom that connects to the top of the housing 102.

[0026] Rotating mechanism is not limited to the above-described four slits. E.g., a complete circular opening may be used to allow bolts to rotate completely about the center of the top portion, e.g., 360 degrees. Further, any other rotating mechanism may be utilized to allow the housing 102 to be rotated while cold pan drop-in equipment that the housing 102 is attached to remains stationary.

[0027] Reinforcement plate 120 typically sits inside a cold pan whose bottom is placed in contact with the top of the housing 102 when the bolts 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 d are tightened. The turning mechanism allows the opening such as a louver panel 106 on a cabinet to be located on a side or the front. An opening 116 on top of the housing aligned with an opening 118 on the reinforcement plate 120, allows refrigeration access lines or cables to be connected from the compressor unit to the cold pan.

[0028] Rotating mechanism is not limited to the above-described four slits. E.g., a complete circular opening may be used to allow bolts to rotate completely about the center of the top portion, e.g., 360 degrees. Further, any other rotating mechanism may be utilized to allow the housing 102 to be rotated while cold pan drop-in equipment that the housing 102 is attached to remains stationary.

[0029]FIG. 2 illustrates components of a swivel machine compartment shown in FIG. 1 when rotated 90 degrees. As shown, the housing 102 having a compressor unit is rotated 90 degrees to face the louver panel 106 opening in a cabinet. As a result, the air intake portion of a compressor unit directly faces cabinet's opening.

[0030]FIG. 3 illustrates components used in rotably attaching a swivel machine compartment to drop-in equipment body. The housing 302 is attached to outer tray 332 of drop-in equipment with bolts 310 a, 310 b, 310 c, 310 d passing through holes 312 a, 312 b, 312 c, 314 d on a reinforcement plate 320, and through holes (not shown) on inner bottom of the outer tray 332, then through the slits 314 a, 314 b, 314 c, 314 d on top of the housing 302. A food tray 330, e.g., may be placed over the reinforcement plate 320. As a result, air intake portion of compressor may be turned to face a louver panel 306 opening on a cabinet, wherever the opening on a cabinet maybe positioned.

[0031]FIG. 4 illustrates a swivel machine as rotably attached with bolts driven into a reinforcement plate. Bolts 410 a, 410 b, 410 c, 410 d are inserted into the holes on the reinforcement plate 420, and into the slits on top of the housing 402. The housing 420 then can be rotated by having the bolts travel along the slits. The housing 420 houses a compressor unit 408, covered with air duct 404 that can be pulled out towards a cabinet wall where a louver panel 406 is attached. Although FIG. 4 does not show a tray, typically, outer tray of drop-in equipment is placed between the reinforcement plate 420 and the housing 402.

[0032] The housing 406 also includes a control panel plate 438 on the same side as the air intake opening 422 to provide easy access to control knobs. E.g., when the compressor is placed inside a cabinet, by detaching the louver panel 406 from a cabinet wall, control knobs as well as the entire air intake section 422 of the compressor is easily accessible.

[0033]FIG. 5 illustrates a swivel machine attached to drop-in equipment. The housing 502 is rotably attached to drop-in equipment outer tray 532. A food tray 530 is placed inside the outer tray 532 for, e.g., holding food. A reinforcement plate (not shown) may be placed inside the outer tray 532 below the food tray 530, to reinforce the rotation mechanism. As a result, housing 502 may be rotated without rotating the drop-in equipment trays 530, 532. The air intake opening section of the compressor faces an opening in a cabinet, e.g., covered with a louver panel 506.

[0034]FIG. 6 illustrates a compressor housed in a housing having an air duct that can be pulled out to the back or side wall of a cabinet. The housing 602 houses a compressor unit 606 and includes an air duct 604 that can be pulled out. The air duct 604, e.g., forms an inner shell inside the housing and covers all or part of the compressor when inside the housing. The air duct 604 is adapted to slide out of an opening on a side of the housing towards a cabinet wall. When pulled out the opening 622 of the air duct 604 coincides with an opening in a cabinet wall.

[0035] When the air duct 604 is pulled out to, e.g., a louver panel (506 FIG. 5) covering an opening in a cabinet, fresh air going into the housing 602 through an opening 622 via the air duct 604 does not mix with old heated air inside the housing 602.

[0036]FIG. 7 illustrates an air duct of FIG. 6, having the bottom part. The air duct in FIG. 7 includes a bottom portion to additionally ensure that fresh air for the compressor 706 does not get mixed with old heated air inside the housing 702.

[0037]FIG. 8 illustrates a compressor housed in drop-in equipment housing with an air duct pulled out to a louver panel that may cover a wall of a cabinet. Fresh air, e.g., flows in through one grid area (806 a) of a louver panel 806 and heated air leaves the housing 802 through a second grid area (806 b) of the louver panel 806, ensuring that the compressing air intake area is exposed to as much fresh air as possible. A control knob plate 838 is positioned on the side facing the louver panel 806 for easy access to control knobs.

[0038] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A swivel machine compartment, comprising: a top portion adapted to rotably attach to outer bottom portion of a tray in drop-in equipment; a bottom portion adapted to support a compressor; a plurality of side portions connecting the top portion and the bottom portion, at least one of the plurality of side portions having substantial opening adapted to allow air flow and access to a compressor supported by the bottom portion.
 2. The swivel machine compartment of claim 1, further including: a reinforcement plate adapted to fit into an inner bottom portion of a tray in drop-in equipment that is adapted to rotably attach to the top portion.
 3. The swivel machine compartment of claim 1, wherein the top portion includes four slits surrounding center of the top portion, the slits each adapted to fit a bolt that is movable along the slits, the slits when attached to a tray in drop-in equipment by one or more bolts, being adapted to allow the top portion, the bottom portion, and the plurality of side portions to rotate at least 90 degrees while the tray in drop-in equipment remains stationary.
 4. The swivel machine compartment of claim 1, wherein the top portion further includes an access area for connecting refrigeration lines from a compressor to drop-in equipment.
 5. The swivel machine compartment of claim 1, further including a control panel plate located on a side facing an opening of a cabinet.
 6. The swivel machine compartment of claim 1, further including an air duct adapted to cover space between air intake section of a compressor and a cabinet wall opening.
 7. The swivel machine compartment of claim 1, further including an air duct adapted to cover a compressor unit, the air duct adapted to slide out to a cabinet wall, wherein the opening in the duct is adapted to coincide with an opening in a cabinet wall.
 8. The swivel machine compartment of claim 1, further including an air duct adapted to cover a compressor unit, the air duct adapted to slide out from covering the compressor, to a cabinet wall, wherein the opening in the duct is adapted to coincide with an opening in a cabinet wall.
 9. A machine compartment for housing refrigeration units in drop-in equipments, comprising: a housing to support a compressor unit; an air duct forming an inner shell inside the housing and covering portions of the compressor, the air duct adapted to slide out of an opening on a side of the housing towards a cabinet wall, wherein the opening of the air duct coincides with an opening in a cabinet wall.
 10. The machine compartment of claim 9, wherein the air duct is three-sided.
 11. The machine compartment of claim 9, wherein the air duct is four-sided.
 12. A method for installing compressor housing in drop-in equipment, comprising: providing a housing to house a compressor; and rotably attaching the housing to outer tray of drop-in equipment, wherein the housing is adapted to rotate to allow air intake section of the compressor to directly face an opening in a cabinet, while the outer tray of drop-in equipment remain stationary.
 13. The method of claim 12, further including: providing an air duct inside the housing, the air duct adapted to cover the compressor, the air duct further adapted to slide out towards the opening in the cabinet. 